Del Toro 'Killing on Carnival Row'

The Mexican helmer is in talks to direct a serial killer thriller set in a fantasy world.

Feb 10 2006

One of my favourite directors at work today is Guillermo Del Toro. While his American features have been passable blockbusters with brains like 'Hellboy' and 'Blade II', his Spanish-language pics, like 'The Devil's Backbone' and 'Cronos', have been masterful exercises in horror and suspense.

Later this year we'll see an example of the latter in the shape of 'Pan's Labyrinth'. After that however, we could finally see a merging of the two styles as the Mexican director is in negotiations to direct the high-concept fantasy thriller 'Killing on Carnival Row'.

Based on a script by first-timer Travis Beachman, the film will revolve around a detective investigating a series of crimes in a Victorian city inhabited by humans, faeries, elves and vampires.

When he becomes the prime suspect in the case, he faces a race against time to catch the killer and clear his name.

Sounds like an intriguing new twist on an age-old premise, and with Del Toro at the reigns, this one could special.